I got into the black Dodge Challenger rental after placing my luggage into the trunk and proceeded to leave the LAX airport. Double-checking the address and directions, I headed straight for Malibu. The atmosphere of California was definitely different than back home. Everything looked and felt clear from the ocean to the sky. Blasting the stereo system with one of my favorite Van Halen albums, I made my way to 10880 Malibu Pointe, noticing the grand, off-white modern mansion that overlooked the Pacific Ocean. The gates at the front of the mansion opened automatically as I drove my car towards the front of the house, parking behind a silver Audi R8 that was there before me.

Virginia Potts was standing at the entrance to the house, a smile on her slender face as I approached. She was wearing a wine red ruffled blouse underneath a cream colored suit jacket and dress pants. Her red hair was tied back in a low ponytail. I stopped the car and got out, grinning widely. "Gin!" I called out her nickname from when we roomed together back in Phoenix. "Oh my gosh, I can't believe it's you!" We embraced each other, a reminder of how long it had been since we last saw each other.

"It has been too long, Autumn." she replied, pulling away, taking a look at me. "My God, you look amazing! You've slimmed down since I last saw you."

"Well you know, it took some time to properly fill in the curves I got." I smiled. "You look like you're doing well too." I quickly put my focus on her, seeing how she became the woman that she is now. No longer was she struggling to maintain a steady, secretarial job like she had in the past. Today, she was CEO of Stark Industries, a position that I thought duly suited her perfectly. "So, Miss CEO, what is it like being the head boss for once?"

"Don't even get me started. It is complicated and stressful. I don't even know how Tony is able to run it himself when . . ."

"When all he does is nothing?" I finished for her laughing. "From what you told me about him Gin, I can't even comprehend how he can pull off such things. I can't even do that."

She raised her eyebrow at me, grinning. "Really? I find it surprising that this is coming from the only person that I know who knows very well how to procrastinate and still make it into pharmacy school."

"This isn't the same thing. I'm not running a company, I run a team. He makes, well he did make weapons. I manufacture and run clinical trials on drugs. That's completely different." I remarked right back. Potts just shook her head, knowing too well that I would counter her argument. I unlocked the trunk with a click of my car keys. "Listen, I do have to thank you for letting me stay here while this convention goes on this week. I was afraid that I would waste money on a hotel, and you know me. If I don't have to waste it, I won't."

"It's not a problem, you know that I will help you out however I can." she said as she helped with my luggage and led me into the mansion. "Besides, we can finally spend some time with each other, given that I don't have too many important meetings to schedule first."

"How embarrassing would that be to even have to schedule an appointment to go to the salon with my best friend?" She laughed again. I took a quick notice of the layout and was impressed. The house had ceilings that were 10 feet high, stone flooring and a beautiful open layout of the kitchen and the living area. The ocean could be see through the large panes of glass that lined the west side of the house.

"There's no need for that. As for you staying here, you have to thank Tony for letting you stay. He was the one to come up with the idea."

I raised my eyebrow. "Really? Tony Stark came up with this idea? Gin, believe it or not your boss is one eccentric man, despite being a genius. Whatever happened to staying at your place?"

"I got overruled and that hardly ever happens. Why he was so bent on having you stay is beyond me."

"We haven't even met and he already wants me staying at his place." I contemplated. "Is that normal of him?" I asked curiously.

She shook her head. "Not that I know-" a sound like the bang of an explosion rumbled from downstairs, shocking the both of us as we cried out in surprise. Gin and I rushed downstairs into a plume of gray smoke.

I heard the cough of a man through the smoke, followed by, "JARVIS, remind me to overlook the circuit mainframe again for the repulsor jets. Also reduce flux circulation from the reactor by fifteen percent."

AS YOU WISH, SIR. ALTHOUGH I SUGGEST ALLOWING ME TO FINISH MY DIAGNOSTIC SCREENINGS BEFORE YOU INITIATE ANY TEST RUNS.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Tony!" Gin exclaimed, "What happened?"

Tony Stark waved his arms around in the air, trying to clear away the smoke. "Oh, hey Pepper. Just, uh, running some test runs for the new suit. Looks like I made a rare, accidental miscalculation. I'll have to look everything over again."

I looked at my friend curiously. "Pepper?"

"It's a long story but that's what he calls me." she replied with a shrug.

"It is because of her witty, fiesty personality." Tony chimed in with a grin. "She is just like a habanero, but with less of a kick and more of a bite." As the smoke cleared, I got a good look at the owner of Stark Industries and the famous Iron Man. Dressed in a dark blue AC/DC t-shirt, his arc reactor shining bright through the cloth, and what looked like a comfortable pair of Levi's, this didn't look like the Tony Stark I familiarized myself with from media exposure. I could feel him staring at me as I stared at him. A chill ran down my spine ever so slightly.

Pepper (I still didn't understand that nickname, though I had to admit, better than Gin...sort of) was the one to break the momentary silence. "Mr. Stark, this is Dr. Autumn Stone, my friend that I told you about a week ago."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Stark." I extended my hand towards him and he graciously took it and shook gingerly. I got a sudden rush of excitement run through my hand and up my arm as our hands touched.

"Pleasure's all mine, and please call me Tony." He flashed a smile exposing his beautiful teeth. His eyes looked sharp and striking as they met mine, causing a sudden array of butterflies taking flight in my stomach. I couldn't pry my eyes away from him, as if he had somehow turned me to stone. I blushed ever so slightly as he released my hand.

"Gin... I mean Pepper... said that it was your idea that I stay here at your estate while I attend the convention in L.A." I said finally.

"The Industrial Pharmaceutical and Biochemistry Convention?" he asked, sounding sincerely curious.

"That would be the one." I answered with a grin. "So basically, I would like to thank you for opening your home to me for the week."

"Any good friend of Pepper's is a friend to me." he smiled widely. "Unless you would like to be of something more, that is. Even if for a night." Tony's voice lowered seductively, followed by an intriguing look from his chocolate brown eyes. I tried to fight back the blush that was beginning to creep up my cheeks, but I had already felt the warmth rise even higher. Aw shit, don't you even start Autumn. Once you say something back it will just continue on all night until your entire face turns red. I thought to myself.

"Alright, Tony I am going to head home for the night after I show Autumn to her room. If you need me, just call." Pepper said quickly, pulling me away from Tony as we began to head back upstairs. I glanced back at Tony again as I climbed the stairs, who was watching me with a smile, signaling that he had noticed my blushing. Color crept further up my cheeks as I looked away. I was in for it big time.

"He was so not! Gin, the guy's a playboy. He has probably done this to hundreds of women." I exclaimed. "Why would he even hit on me like that?"

Pepper was helping me unpack my luggage, arranging my wardrobe in the closet of the massive bedroom that I was sleeping in. I was sitting on my bed, a large circular bed with a soft mattress and heavenly sheets and covers, all in blue, my favorite color. "Autumn, listen to me. I have known the man for nearly 10 years. Yes, he's a playboy, and has the charms to go with it, but believe me when I'm telling you that the way he held eye contact with you is not normal of him. As eccentric as he may be, Tony was definitely checking you out." Then she grinned. "And I can see why Autumn. You really have changed; you've actually gotten prettier and Tony notices it."

"So he was flirting! Big deal!" I spread my hand wide, emphasizing my point. "Besides, I'm sure it will pass. I mean, come on, he sees a lot of women and probably gets all googly eyed over them too. It's not like I liked it." I said in my defense, but I immediately regretted saying it.

My friend immediately stopped what she was doing and looked at me hard, her blue eyes narrowing. Uh-oh, I knew that look. "Nay," she said slowly, using the shortened version of my middle name Naomi. "Seeing how you reacted to the introduction of my boss and his suggestive comment, it will not pass. I will tell you this: he will continue and you will keep fueling his fire." So she noticed it too. Shit . . . she was not going to let me live this down.

"What the hell does that mean?" I asked.

"Oh come on Nay, don't be oblivious. You're the perfect example of a natural flirt. You'll flirt without even meaning or trying to."

"And this is relevant because . . . ?"

"Face it Autumn, you will flirt back. Eventually. Today you were caught off guard, and I can see why. He noticed it, hell he even noticed your blush! He'll be sparking that match until you finally give in and ignite it. And before you know it . . ."

I grabbed one of the white pillows and tossed it at her head, my aim true. The sound of a soft thump! was heard as the little pillow smacked into her face. Pepper's expression was full of faux hostility. "My arm twitched," I said to her innocently. And before I knew it, a pillow war was engaged.

He almost had it, and this time, Tony was 200% certain he had the calculation correct. Shifting his shoulders, Tony carefully re-wired the miniature circuits that were to bring energy from the arc reactor into the Iron Man boots to power the jet packs in the soles. Wiping the sweat from his brow, checking his watch (it was 9:15pm), he put down his tools and close the boot to its non-exposed form and placed it next to various pieces of the new Iron Man suit he was working on. How many has he made now? Ten? Fifteen? He couldn't remember; hell, he can't even remember the name of the last broad he slept with. Or even any non-important (or as Tony thought) details regarding his company or even his own Social Security without Pepper.

Pepper . . . the lady was sure interesting, and a phenomenal CEO for Stark Industries. Tony really admired her dedication and her attentiveness, even to back when she was just his personal assistant. He took an extreme liking to the woman, even tried to get her to go out on a date. After all, what could one date with his good looking P.A. hurt? Unfortunately, however, Pepper had a strict rule about dating her employers and, has to this day, stuck with it. He would be lying to himself if he said that his ego, as large as it was, wasn't hurt by the multiple times he had been rejected by her. Even still, she didn't seem to mind the flirty quirks he shot at her from time to time.

Speaking of quirks, that nice young woman that was here with Pepper sure caught his eye. She was very petite in size and height, compared to his tall CEO, and yet it was something that he oddly found attractive about her. Her slightly wavy, dark brown hair had cascaded like a flowing waterfall, framing her face. But it was her eyes that Tony found quite alluring: wide, deep brown eyes protected by thin-rimmed glasses. Tony had taken note how she seemed to compose herself, unlike all the other women he has had the pleasure or displeasure of meeting. What was her name again? Pepper mentioned it a few times. I'll find out again soon. he thought to himself. It was a beautiful name, that he remembered, but how could he have forgotten the very thing she was called? Scratch that, he thought again. I know why.

The moment Tony had laid eyes on this woman, he felt a rush through his body that he couldn't explain. Shaking her soft, delicate hand, he felt a tingle race up his arm. Not to mention, he experienced a sense of accomplishment after seeing this fair lady blush. Quite shockingly, even to himself, he wasn't sure if the comment he made towards her was intentional, as it usually was to effectively entice a woman just to get to bed. He didn't want to be like that to Pepper's friend. He had more respect for his assistant and would have as much so for her best friend. But this, what he said to her, it just . . . came out.

"JARVIS, let's go ahead and call it a night okay?" Tony called out. The thrum of AC/DC blaring through the speakers faded and the lights the garage dimmed.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WISH ME TO DO FOR YOU SIR?

"I'll keep you posted." Tony replied as he climbed the stairs back to the main floor. Reaching the top step, he saw that woman standing at the scenic windows overlooking the ocean. Before, she was dressed in a dark purple blouse that hugged her breasts delicately with black slacks that accentuated her curvy thighs. Now, she was dressed in a gray tank top and navy blue booty shorts. In her hand she held a glass of water. Tony quietly walked in her direction, nearly startling her as he crept up behind her.

"Oh God, Mr. Stark! I didn't see you there!" she turned to him, a look of surprise on her face.

"It's alright. I'm a little light on my feet sometimes." he smiled. "What are you doing up?"

"Looking out at the ocean. Though daytime is best to see it, I like it just as much as the nighttime." Taking a sip of her water, she looked back at the vast horizon, the ocean dark from the night sky, save for the full moon. "It's very calming, peaceful."

"So it is," Tony agreed. "Excuse me for being so dense, but what is your name again?"

"Autumn. Autumn Stone."

"Autumn . . . what a beautiful name. Kind of like the season, but without the chill in the wind. And too many leaves." he said.

He heard Autumn giggle very quietly, "Mr. Stark, you sure know quite your way around relating names."

"It's a gift. And didn't I ask you to call me Tony?" he looked at her intently. Autumn looked right back at him.

"You did, but it is a habit of mine."

"That sounds like a habit I need to break."

"Hard to break old Southern upbringings when you use them most of your lifetime." she laughed. Already Tony was beginning to love hearing her laugh. "But if you must insist, I'll call you Tony."

Tony grinned. "That sounds more like it." She smiled up at him, and then proceeded to look out at the ocean. Tony didn't realize how small and petite she was until he was standing right next to her. She was no taller than the bottom of his chin, yet he didn't ignore the way she seemed to carry herself. Just being in her presence alone was intriguing and he wanted to know more about her. "You don't see the ocean a lot do you Autumn?"

She shook her head. "No, living in Phoenix deprives one of this luxury. I've only been to California a few times before, some vacation, others for work. No matter the reason I'm here, I always find a reason to see the ocean. You must take this for granted."

"I must agree with you on that one. I don't always appreciate the beauty of anything in front of me, until now." He glanced at her again, taking in her attractive appearance. I have to admit, I would love to know what she is like in bed. Goddammit Stark! He mentally kicked himself. This is Pepper's friend, stop thinking about her like that! But he knew he couldn't; there was just something different about her.

Autumn looked at him curiously, fingers tapping her glass. "Why is that Tony?"

He thought for a moment, thinking intently. Why didn't he? "Hard to appreciate what you have if you always got what you wanted. Even to this day I still get what I want. But something about right now makes me want to really look at what I have and appreciate it for what it is."

"It's good that you see that Tony. Personally I see it as a way of looking at how you build your life and how you got it there. After all, not everyone, not even myself, can get what they want like you do." Autumn faced him, unaware that she was getting closer to him. Not that Tony minded, but there was something about her being closer to him that made him feel . . . electrified. She was so close he wanted to touch her hand again, feel how soft her skin was.

"I can arrange it to where you can get what you want." His voice suddenly got lower, almost in a growl. Tony saw the blush creeping up on Autumn's face again, and was mesmerized by how she shied her eyes away from him, but not before he noticed the reflective glint in her eyes. He tentatively touched her arm, his hand sliding up towards her shoulder and back down again. Hell, her skin was even softer than before. She placed a hand over his, holding his hand right over her forearm. His stomach felt like it had wings and was flying all over inside his abdomen. His heart began to beat just a little faster, matching the hum of his arc reactor for a few split seconds.

"Tony, I think it would be best if I just go get some sleep right now. Got the convention and all. And before you say anything, I'm sleeping in my bed okay?" Autumn said finally.

"Who said that I was going to say anything like that?" Tony questioned, sounding playfully hurt. Did she just-? Where the hell did that come from?

Autumn grinned, flashing her straight, white teeth. "You're sparking up the fire Tony. Just because you haven't said it doesn't mean that you thought of it for a second."

"I'm not sparking up anything and I was not thinking of anything like that. And who knows? I could have said the couch instead of my bed." That's better Stark, play it cool . . . no wait! Shit! He didn't know why he was fueling her on like this. Normally he didn't do stuff like this to impress women, but yet she made it come out of him so easily. This was definitely new for Tony Stark.

"The couch is a perfect, yet still inferior alternative nonetheless." She walked off, her smile still big and bright. Boy, she was a tease. Well two could play that game right?

"We'll discuss which set is superior and inferior tomorrow then?" He asked in a playful tone. She just laughed and told him 'Goodnight Tony' and then walked down the hall into the guest bedroom that she was occupying for the week. Tony couldn't help but smile. She sure was easy to tease but definitely playing a little hard to get. But did he catch her flirting back at him? He certainly hoped so, otherwise his efforts for today and the rest of the week would sure be a challenge.